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Ashdown Warned: No Green Sell-Out in Blair Sweetheart Deal
21 September 1998
Leading green pressure group Friends of the Earth has warned Paddy Ashdown against selling out the Liberal Democrats' environmental principles in pursuit of an election deal with Labour.Before the General Election the Liberal Democrats positioned themselves as the greenest of the major parties. But since getting 46 MPs, and more potential for influence than ever before, Mr Ashdown seems to have forgotten most of his Party's green pledges.
* On climate change, the Lib Dems supported a 30% carbon dioxide reduction in the UK by 2010: But since the Election, Mr Ashdown has said and done nothing even to hold Labour to their more modest commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 20%
* On road traffic, the Lib Dems supported a 10% reduction by 2010, but since the Election Mr Ashdown has said and done nothing about Labour's failure to meet its pledge to real traffic levels cuts
* On wildlife, the Lib Dems supported action to protect our most important sites: but since the Election, Mr Ashdown has said and done about Labour's dithering on this issue. Meanwhile over 300 such sites are damaged every year.
Speaking to a rally of green Liberal Democrats in Brighton today (Balmoral Room,Metropole Hotel, 6.15pm), FOE Executive Director Charles Secrett said:
'FOE challenges Mr Ashdown to put his words and actions where his promises were. There are many Lib Dems pushing a green agenda: including Matthew Taylor and his environment team; Don Foster; and the Green Lib Dems. But without the support of Mr Ashdown their voices are muted. Paddy must not let the hope of a Cabinet seat lure him away from radical environmental policies. Green politics have long given the Liberal Democrats a distinctive and important voice by comparison with the other grey major Parties. Will Paddy's courtship dance with Tony see it all thrown away?'
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
